Willys Jeep 4 Speed Swap: Adapters!

Willys Jeep 4 Speed Swap: Adapters!
In this video I walk through all the steps it takes to adapt a Ford t18 transmission to a Dana 18 transfer case and a Willy’s F head (Hurricane Engine) or L head (Go Devil Engine). The input shaft used comes from a Jeep J truck with a t18 and is machined down to match a t90 input shaft. The front bearing retainer is completely custom. The transfer case adapter comes from later cj5 Jeeps and full sized Jeeps with the t18 Dana 20 combination. The bellhousing is a stock F head bellhousing. Machine work was done by a local shop and by mosier engineering. Should apply to cj2a, cj3a, CJ3B, and cj5. This is an exciting part because after the adapters go on I can start dropping gears in and building the cases!
#jeep #willys #restoration #4speed

[@JoseGonzalez-ho6mf]

That was a fentecic job. Thanks for the video

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Thank you I really appreciate it!

[@bryco32]

This old jeep has come a long way with you as the caretaker. Thanks for all the videos..

[@SevenBarSalvage]

I appreciate it!

[@nagadsby9413]

Great info! Especially about the transmission drilling and tapping. Thanks for taking the time to make this for us!

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Glad to hear it! Hopefully I can help someone else with their project!

[@lynncollinsworth6108]

Ty ❤

[@DonniesDogHouse]

Sure am enjoying your videos. I have a 1974 cj5 that I have a lot of work to do to. Glad you’re making these videos

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Glad to hear it thank you for watching!

[@thelarsongarage]

This is awesome! Definitely took some thought to adapt that bellhousing and input shaft to make everything work. Nice work! Can't wait to see it all mounted back in the chassis!

[@SevenBarSalvage]

I appreciate it!

[@patw1914]

Great Video! In the background, I wondered if I saw a one piece v6 bell housing from a 71? If so, I’d love to see the correct fork for that setup.

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Shoot me an email, [e-mail]!

[@jeepdoctv]

What an amazing build! Can’t wait to see it!! 💪👍

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Thank you, same here 😉

[@etjensen44]

I have done this swap to a '66 CJ5 with the Dauntless V6. I cannot recommend it enough.

[@SevenBarSalvage]

That’s great to hear!

[@chrisrankin435]

Hands down the best how to video I have ever saw not your first time iv done a few t18/20 behind a early v6 Novak is great to deal with

[@SevenBarSalvage]

I really appreciate it! That’s awesome!

[@johndoe43]

Your getting in deep. Good job and info. When I bought my 77 new I goofed not getting the 4 speed. Wanted one ever since. I have 6 cj 5s all 3 speeds 😆 I need you.

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Haha the 4 speed ones are far and few between!

[@kenthedenstrom3452]

What a great idea 💡

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Thank you!

[@mikemorone193]

I put a T 18 in my '73 cj5 last summer. I paid $600.00 . It came bolted up to a D-20, & bell housing with the TC adapter & bell adapter. Naturally it was too long. Took out the Bell adapter, and changed the imput shaft. It was out of a J-truck. Paid $200.00 for the 61/2 inch imput shaft kit from Parts Mike in Ca. The kit comes with all the gaskets & seals along with a couple gear parts. They say that imput shaft is supposed to be the same as the T-98. I had to drill & tap the Bell & use original D-20 that came off the 3 spd with new output seals. Had to leave out the left bottom front bell bolt because the clutch fork hit it.

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Man that kit sure sounds like a good deal I’ll have to look into that… I spent more than that buying and having the input shaft machined!

[@LetsBuildaWillysJeep]

Nice work 👍

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Thank you!

[@ronthoman7138]

SWEEEEET! Really well done! You will be MUCH happier with the stock steel adapter plate! Much stronger! Bitchin Man!! 😉😎

[@SevenBarSalvage]

I appreciate it!

[@PaulA-yh7kr]

How much longer is the t18 from the t90 Thank you for your time. Paul

[@scubasteve7946]

This is very impressive. There is a guy near Redding, CA has done this several years ago. He detailed the project on the CJ2A page forums. One thing that he mentioned, was the different input shafts of the T-18 had possibly different gear tooth counts and if I remember correctly, he had to use the corresponding cluster gear to match but don't take that for gospel, I'm going off memory. Good luck and keep up the awesome work!

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Thank you I appreciate it! The Jeep and ford input shaft are pretty much the same in my setup (the synchronizers are different) but I wouldn’t doubt there are different cluster gears and tooth counts… it’s amazing how many variations there are!

[@johndoe43]

@@SevenBarSalvage fun fact. There are 16 versions of the t 18. Most of the variations took place under the Ford label.

[@mayafouts7702]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@chouskeeper3723]

I am impressed with the transmission knowledge, maybe you could help me out. I have a fresh rebuilt Studebaker in line 6 Champaign. I am looking for the bellhouse that bolts to a Willys Transmission with little luck. This swap was popular back in the day. The Studebaker inline is have was taken out of a Willys but the bellhouse was thrown in the scrap the metal pile.

[@scubasteve7946]

So mine just like you described used the studebaker bellhousing, and a 3/4" plate spacer between the bellhousing and the transmission to get the input shaft depth correct for the pilot bearing. It also used a modified throw out bearing linkage to work with the Jeep pedal. You can make the 3/4" thick spacer yourself with the 4 transmission to bellhousing bolt holes as well as the large center hole for the input retainer

[@davedegan12]

Maybe a little late here. If your using a Studebaker 170ci six (169). The car T96 bell housing allows the willys 4cy t90 to bolt right up.

[@chouskeeper3723]

@Dave DeGan thanks, I have a fresh rebuild, still looking for a bellhousing

[@TheOldaz1]

That's a nice job, like you said you just have to find all the parts. Does it work out to the same length overall?

[@SevenBarSalvage]

I know it will be slightly longer, when I pull the other drive train out I’ll do a comparison!

[@mikep9032]

Wow. That's a lot of material to cover. Since I did a sm465 swap, yours make a lot of sense. So how much did your drive line grow? My 465 to D18 grew 2 3/4".

[@SevenBarSalvage]

That’s a good question, when I pull the original drive train out I’ll do a side by side comparison!

[@ThePoolman2007]

so ive got a 52 m38 and i want to put in the t19 which is a full synchro t18 how much of a difference is there gonna be from what you showed in the video plus if you could provide me with measurements and diagrams for any part or pieces that needs to be made or modified please do and for bell housing reference mine would be the late style that goes on the l-head and i believe is the same as the f-head

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Should be pretty similar. I took apart a T19 the other day it was a lot like the T18. I’ll have to dig up all my measurements! There’s a really good write up on the cj2a forum.

[@johnkreiner7842]

Didn't scout have that tilted 4cyl? can't remember what they called it

[@SevenBarSalvage]

They did I’m not sure on the name but I believe it was half of an IH 304!

[@adhityamulyaandhika]

I have a question, can I use an amc sedan gearbox or a toyota rwd sedan/pickup to replace the standard Willys gearbox

[@SevenBarSalvage]

That would be pretty difficult!

[@codybrown9998]

Do you have the information to make that same custom input shaft, bearing retainer and would you be willing to share? I have a 62 Willys wagon with the l6-226 super hurricane and want to convert to a 4 speed too after watch your videos.

[@SevenBarSalvage]

I’ll have to look as see what info I wrote down. A lot of it is just setting the 2 transmissions next to each other and measuring things till you get a plan. I worked with a machinist on shortening and cutting down the shaft I probably don’t have that anymore :P

[@JasonNomNom]

Im looking at getting an old DJ5 Postal jeep to build into a silly hotrod. Do you know if they share the same knuckles as what you're doing with your willys? Wanting to do the disc conversion especially.

[@SevenBarSalvage]

That’s a good question, I have a DJ5 front axle I’ll check it out and let you know! Thank you for watching!

[@henryware9440]

Do you use thread locker on your bolts when you seal up the transfer case? TIA.

[@SevenBarSalvage]

All the bolts on a stock T case should have lock washers. There is some bolts going into the transmission now that will need thread sealant. It’s interesting how back in the day manufacturers used lock washers in place of locktite

[@shaunolson8913]

I currently have a t14 disassembled on my bench. Everyone has been telling me to switch to a t150 or t18. But the adapters, bellhousing, drive shafts are all kind of outside of my wheelhouse, but then again... so is disassembling a transmission. If I do switch, I'm thinking the t18 will match well with my dana 20, but curious about your thoughts on keeping the t14 or just swapping it out.

[@SevenBarSalvage]

The cheapest and easiest thing to do is rebuild your t14. When your starting swapping and adapting things it gets expensive and complicated pretty quick! The T14 was one of the better 3 speeds. It all depends on what you want to do with your Jeep. On the road your t14 will be fine, off road sometimes you’re gonna want the t18 low first gear. Hope this helps!

[@josealonsogonzalez5470]

👌👍🇨🇴

[@michaelwedin5474]

Are you considering a Timken bearing intermediate shaft conversion for the D18 TC?

[@SevenBarSalvage]

I sure am, hopefully I get it back from the machine shop soon!

[@michaelstawczykjr.701]

Why not a T-19 its synchronized in all 4 gears?

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Good question, they only made a few T19’s with the 6.32:1 first gear and they never used them in pickups I think they were all 4:1 first gears. Thanks!

[@ohanailo7743]

Why don’t you talk to a machine shop and have the jeep adapter manufactured new?

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Buying a reproduction from advanced adapters or hunting down and oem one would be way cheaper. I think shop rates around here are well over $100 an hour. If I could find someone with a hobby cnc maybe it would be worth it. Good question!

[@johnnyholland8765]

You said what????

[@SevenBarSalvage]

What’d I say? 😅

[@shall2117]

You gunna LS swap it?

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Nah I think I’m gonna keep this build pretty period correct with upgrades guys were doing in the 70’s and 80’s!

[@shall2117]

Lololol okay boomer

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Haha maybe… I know my axles and t case would explode with an ls 😜

[@shall2117]

Hahaha sounds like a skill issue

[@SevenBarSalvage]

@@shall2117 More like a money issue… and everyone and their mom is doing tons and an ls haha

[@lukewalker1116]

bearing ......ing not barrin......

[@SevenBarSalvage]

Drop them “G’s” and save some time 😉